How to maintain a healthy coat?

[beausmom1]

Not sure if this question belongs here...

But, Beau is a long hair, and his coat has been getting really greasy lately!

Does anyone have any tips on keeping a healthy coat?

I know if we bathe him too much he will dry out...Is it something to do with diet? We feed him Iams Puppy--and used to also give him a puppy vitamin, but not anymore.

Thanks!

[Cindi]

I dn't know why your longhair would be getting greasy BUT drying out isn't a bad thing for greasy coats :) You don't want to keep him greasy as that will collect dirt, make him smell, etc. Is he greasy all over or just in certain areas?

It could be his food and he might be reacting this way to corn and/or wheat in the food. You might want to consider finding a food that doesn't have either in it and see if you notice a difference. It may take a few weeks or even months to notice a change, however.

Good luck :)

Cindi

PS You can safely bathe a dog every week if you must if you use the proper shampoos and conditioner.

[FourOrchards]

I wonder if it has to do with the food you are feeding him. Ally is a short hair and her skin tends to be on the dry side...especially this winter so I try not to bath her anymore that I have to.
If he's oily...maybe a shampoo would do the trick. Did you use conditioner last time and not get him rinsed all the way out? :dunno:

[Schatz's Mom]

I would change his food to see if that helps. Here is a great site that gives you list of the best commercial foods. Dogaware (http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html)

[SirOliversMom]

Dog's coats usually have something to do with nutrition. I find that I have to bathe Tammy a little more often than Oliver to keep her nice and soft and shiny.

How long before his coat gets greasy?

[beausmom1]

Thanks everyone! I used the link to compare foods and it looks like we'd better switch that...along with his shampoo. I really didn't know much about shampoo so we have some generic flea & tick shampoo. I will go get a new kind today..thanks again! :thanx:

[Cocoa and Me]

I put fish oil on her food and switch off every month (she gets a bath once a month) with puppy shampoo and oatmeal shampoo. I imagine that oatmeal shampoo would do nicely on a long hair :luv:

[dachsie_luv]

:thumbup2: I use Miracle Coat Shampoo, & love it. It has a very fresh, clean smell, & is very mild. You can find it at most pet stores or on the internet. I also give him salmon oil, & Missing Links supplements for his coat, & general health.

[Girrl's mom]

Cindi, what are some of the "right" shampoos and conditioners to use. I really didn't know, used one from Trader Jacks that was recommended by someone and got a spray that had tea tree oil in it, meant for horses. My Gayla's hair was very dry and falling out in clumps when I first got her. She's fine now, but I'd stil like the info.